Financial Analysts vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $28,440 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 39.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $45,440 | +$16,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $55,870 | +$22,430 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $72,910 | +$28,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $97,270 | +$34,780 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $126,540 | +$54,010 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $79,730 | +$36,760 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Financial Analysts or Human Resources Specialists?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,440 (39.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Financial Analysts and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS